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umparrothead Author

Level 3

756 points

14.3 Mail.app - Corrupted/Garbled Text When Composing Messages

After updating to 14.3, I've noticed Mail.app messages (replies or new) will begin garbling and corrupting text display while you're writing (similar to writing in this field here). Usually when you've written a few paragraphs, the prior (or even current) text will garble with previous content, moving it around, erasing some, or even overlaying it with a previous paragraph.

Importantly, the text itself is not changed, as can be seen if you just ignore it and keep typing. However, if you stop and try to select the text, it cannot be grabbed, since it's not really there. It is a visual corruption only, but when you don't know what you have written, it's hard to confirm what's, well, written.

I've restarted, as well as reinstalled the OS with no change.

This is while Mail is in fullscreen and the message is using split-screen.

There clearly seems to be a text display bug (graphics or WebKit perhaps), but I'm trying to determine if it's just me or others are noticing it as well. I will also file a bug (Feedback Assistant) on the issue.

MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Jan 23, 2024 10:08 AM

Best reply

twiph

Level 1

22 points

Posted on Jan 26, 2024 5:45 AM

Yes, I am experiencing this very annoying problem when editing in Apple Mail. I have a new M3 Pro running the latest MacOS Sonoma 14.3. This had not occurred before the OS upgrade, a few days ago. I was worried that something was wrong with the M3 Pro hardware. However, I see other posts here that indicate the problem is not isolated to Apple Silicon, and seems to have surfaced right after the upgrade to MacOS 14.3.

And it seems to be isolated to Apple Mail so far. It makes it nearly impossible to compose longer e-mail messages. I may have to switch to another Mail app until Apple fixes this really bad bug.

Yes, it's in the display part of the code. I've found that I can force a redisplay to remove the garbled overwritten text by using the Mail Format tab, and then selecting either rich text or plain text, which forces a screen refresh to show all the typing I thought was lost. Otherwise, I can't see the text I'm typing!

It's actually horrible, making Apple mail message editing unusable. I'm ready to switch to MS Outlook to see if that helps.

Come on Apple! This is completely unacceptable. Fix the problem!

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140 replies

twiph

Level 1

22 points

Feb 9, 2024 6:39 AM in response to twiph

It now appears that Apple has addressed this problem in MacOS 14.3.1, just released yesterday (2/8/2024). Updates are also available for iOS 17.3.1, iPadOS 17.3.1, watchOS 10.3.1. Specifically, this problem was mentioned in the updates: "includes a fix for a bug that could cause text to unexpectedly duplicate or overlap while typing".

I've updated my OS's, and thus far have not been able to replicate the problem, even with inline predictive text turned back on in keyboard settings. Other sources indicated that the problem was in WebKit: https://tidbits.com/2024/02/07/macos-14-3-sonoma-text-display-bug-to-be-fixed-soon/.

Thank you, Apple for fixing this annoying bug!

Dave_11

Level 1

12 points

Feb 9, 2024 8:32 AM in response to umparrothead

Well, downloaded the latest MacOS 14.3.1 on my wife's 27" iMac and my Macbook Pro 14" w/ M1 and the problem with the 'garbled text' rose its ugly head AGAIN. My wife said it was OK, on her machine, until I installed the latest update. So, I have no idea what that means, other than the problem still exists!! Fix this Apple, PLEASE!!! It's very annoying.

Feb 13, 2024 2:20 PM in response to umparrothead

Similar problems here. While typing a mail, some text gets replaced by fragments of previous text. And switches back. Annoying and unnerving. Brand new MacBook M3 Pro with Sonoma 14.3. Only observed it in Apple Mail until now.

D12L

Level 1

12 points

Feb 19, 2024 8:55 AM in response to markus2509

Please, perhaps it would be best to read more in the thread before posting? Yes there was an update sent out to fix this. Please check your devices for an update. The update was specific to this issue and information about it was posted several times in the thread.

Feb 25, 2024 2:18 PM in response to umparrothead

It is validating to find this thread and discover that I'm not alone and my computer is not crazy...only the software update to Sonoma is. I can't believe they haven't fixed this problem yet?!!!??? I clicked the update tonight button and pray that this will solve the issue b/c there are no app updates available for mail that I can find.

If anyone knows if there is a patch for this as of 2/25/24, please reply. The other thing that started after Sonoma update is when I'm in word, I will be typing and all of a sudden it won't let me type and the computer beeps with every keystroke, WTF Apple!!!??? I tried to disable sticky under accessibility but it was already disabled.

EssEmmm

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2024 5:55 PM in response to apmeyer

Yep - M1 MBP running Sonoma 14.3:

swsmac

Level 1

34 points

Feb 7, 2024 8:37 AM in response to AaronA36

Here's a realtime example that just happened...

Eric Lane

Level 1

110 points

Feb 8, 2024 1:06 PM in response to umparrothead

Everyone - the fix is out!

Feb 9, 2024 11:39 PM in response to umparrothead

Same thing happening to me. Brand New M3 MacBook Pro, fresh 14.3 system.

umparrothead Author

Level 3

756 points

Jan 24, 2024 9:15 AM in response to Bobs7623---

Same system here, so that's interesting. Not helpful for us, but interesting. Anyone else seeing this issue on other M-series (M2, M3, or Pro/Max lines) or Intel?

sterling

Level 1

25 points

Jan 25, 2024 10:25 AM in response to umparrothead

Same thing happening to one of my users. 13" M1 MacBook Pro.

caren214

Level 1

12 points

Jan 29, 2024 11:33 AM in response to umparrothead

OI am actually on the phone with Apple and the first level tech has no clue what I am talking about but I am having the same problem. DO they not read these threads?

caren214

Level 1

12 points

Jan 29, 2024 11:35 AM in response to umparrothead

Yes 2020 Imac 27"

Jan 29, 2024 11:58 AM in response to umparrothead

I can see this happening on my system as well (15-inch M2, Sonoma 14.3). It looks like an issue with Apple's WebKit. Has there been any update for FB13557502?

umparrothead Author

Level 3

756 points

Jan 29, 2024 12:02 PM in response to ratnesh-apple

No updates to the feedback report. Unknown if it's resolved in the latest beta for 14.4 (I don't run macOS betas on my main system).

14.3 Mail.app - Corrupted/Garbled Text When Composing Messages